D-Day in Wisconsin! (a proud rant)

Updated on June 6, 2012

D-Day in Wisconsin!

I awoke this morning, and was reminded of this historic day of our Country, June 6th – D-Day! It was a major battle that changed the course of WWII. With that said, my heart goes out to every one of the soldiers who fought for the liberties and freedoms, that we proudly stand for.

It got me thinking! It started my brain on another rant! Just yesterday, in my opinion, was a miniature D-Day for this country. Now, I am not remotely trying to demean the significance of that historic day in 1944. But here it is 68 years later, and what happened up in Wisconsin yesterday, was another stand for our liberties and freedoms.

I think that this vote to keep Gov. Walker his job as leader of the State of Wisconsin is so very significant to the upcoming election in November. It is a loud signal that Americans understand that the principals of conservative values and policies are best for all people, not just those who belong to a Union. Also, that effective leadership is a must during hard economic times.

Scott Walker campaigned on certain promises of making Wisconsin and its people a better place to live. He delivered on those promises.

Let’s take a quick look at what he has accomplished:

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate has dropped! To 6.7 percent, lower than the national average of 8.2 percent.

The average personal income of the citizens of Wisconsin rose last year to 4.8%, compared to the national average of 4.3%.

They had a budget deficit of $3.6 billion and is now on pace to have a surplus of $89 million by June 30, 2013.

Property taxes are down.

I think this next point is so very significant and that is his administration has stopped forcibly collecting union dues from workers’ paychecks. Union dues are NOW voluntary; tens of thousands of union members have stopped paying them. Membership in the Wisconsin chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union (AFSCME) has dropped by half. Membership in the stat’s American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is down by over a third. Given unions’ influential role in most elections, the national implications of this trend are staggering.

Simple things such as the fraudulent “sick leaves” by State workers that allowed them to call in sick and then work the next shift for overtime pay can no longer happen.

The fact is, some common sense had been restored in that wonderful state, and they are setting a real example of how we must apply common sense in our Nation.

So I find it remotely ironic that on this D-Day, we have yet another significant battle won in the name of liberty and freedom.

Comments 46 comments

Bravo. Good hub, but I wouldn't exactly call it a rant - just a statement of facts that I hope people will recognize and appreciate.

Old Poolman 4 years ago from Rural Arizona

Awesome my friend. It is unique that this historic event coincided with D-day.

It is refreshing that common sense prevailed with the voters in Wisconsin. It is hard to say anything negative in regards to the progress that has been made in that state. Evidently, the voters agree with what Gov. Walker has done for their state. Perhaps more states will look at this and decide their own state could use an overhaul. Perhaps the wave of the future is starting to form.

Keith Engel 4 years ago from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Well I know here in PA Tom Corbett is having the same battle.

Longhunter 4 years ago

I agree with Ij. This is a great statement of facts.

Democracy won along with Scott Walker last night. The Dems, Liberals, and Progressives have been given a shove backwards that did far more than rock them on their heels. It knocked them on their butts.

This election doesn't bod well for Barack Hussein Obama either. It's sending a message - We're starting to take our country back.

Wayne Brown 4 years ago from Texas

I sincerely believe the Wisconsin vote reflects that the majority of citizens expect accountability with their tax dollars and wisdom as to how they are spent. Plain and simply neither a household, a state, or a country can continually spend more revenue than it takes in...it is irresponsible and flagrantly unaccountable. In essence, those who populate the government and the unions are thumbing their noses at the taxpayers of the state as they rob it blind. Good points all around, Chris and here's hoping Gov. Walker does a bang up job over his term. I believe he has been returned to office with a mandate of the people. WB

Keith Engel 4 years ago from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hey did you know that Republicans and Conservatives are the one's responsible for Divide and Conqueror tactics.

Hey CMerritt, I agree whole-heatedly with your opinions on Scott Walkers record of helping to turn around the woes in his state of Wisconsin. I must applaud his stand against the union thugs who have had taxpayers there and elsewhere over a barrel for years. Hopefully, this will be the first of many thrashings for these bullies. I do have one critic, meant in a constructive way. Please, consider renaming your "opinions" in the titles from the word rant. While I can also be guilty of ranting occassionally, your valued opinions, while passionate should not be presented with the same derogatory view as a rant is commonly seen. While it is nice to have people come to our hubs that do agree with us, the term rant may keep others from reading that could benefit from another perspective that they don't currently hold. Just a thought, as I do enjoy and appreciate your views, and don't see them as rants, even as passionate as they are. May your opinions continue to ring true, and Mr. Walker's successes be many against these playground bullies! Bless you brother.

geordmc 4 years ago from Beliot, Wisconsin

Yeah C, WE DID IT !! I was SO relieved to see that Scott Walker kept his office. I know I voted for him, again. I just hope that the rest of the country will follow our lead in November.

Keith Engel 4 years ago from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Having spent four years in Wisconsin, while going to Marquette, Wisconsin to a certain extent is important to me. Hell, it was actually the state I cast my first ballot in back in 2000 for Bush.

WillStarr 4 years ago from Phoenix, Arizona

The 'tolerant' left is livid, with death threats directed at Walker appearing all over Twitter, and a woman slapped the mayor last night for conceding to Walker!

Even FDR warned us against public sector unions, and Wisconsin was a prime example of why!

Good riddance.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Thanks lj,

Ranting is something I do frequently, especially at home. My kids will leave the room, when "Dad" starts one of his rants. I'm not sure if they are always appreciated, but they are my "rants"...and it is just the way I feel about something.

I appeciate your kind words,

Chris

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi Mike!!

I really do believe we are going to see more and more of this kind of leadership. Look at Christie in NJ, and Jindal in LA and my gov Mitch Daniels in IN. Your gov is doing a fantastic job at showing leadership via conservative principals.

I think this is INDEED a landmark day!

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

@ Keith,

You are right about Tom Corbett, he is another conservative who has the opportunity to let his actions be louder than his words.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi longhunter!

Yep, Obama and his admin, are NOT too pleased with the results of this recall...and the message has been sent, loud and clear!

Thanks for coming by, and commenting!

:)

Chris

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi Wayne,

I agree, the people has spoken, and they WANT their hard earned money to quit being wasted!

As always, I appreciate your words.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

slcockerham,

I apprecaite your advice. Ranting has become part of who I am....it is my release of emotions. I agree it may not come off too well with others. It is usually just me throwing my "opinions" out there, typing feverlishly. It is not my intent to be derogatory, but just being who I am.

I also appreciate your views on my hub...

blessing to you!

chris

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Congratulations geo!!

YOU did it! I appreciate you, and what you stand for!

Thanks for being a loyal follower.

Chris

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi Will,

You are right, the liberals are fit to be tied. A buddy of mine who lives up there emailed me and confirmed this...and he is loving every minute of it.

Kareem Gantt 4 years ago from Florida

Hi CMerritt!

Good Hub, but there is one thing that Scott did not count on.

Even though he has his job back, the Wisconsin Senate got flipped back to the Democrats, thanks to a vote tabulation glitch in Racine County that originally had incumbent Van Wanggard winning. So, even though he gets to go back to Madison, he now has to work with a majority Democratic State senate who completely hate his guts. It is gonna be interesting to see how Scott can implement the rest of his agenda with a now democratic controlled Senate.

And you know what, that is how government SHOULD be ran. That is how this country used to be ran, before ideology on both sides took over. Ronald Reagan would had never survived his first term without working with Tip O'Neill and Bill Clinton could not had had his budget surpluses without the help of Newt Gingrich.

You see where I'm coming from?

With both parties reaching across the aisle to find common ground for the good of America, not trying to force down ideology. We are United in nothing anymore. It's all about "Libtards", "Tea Baggers", "RepubCons", "Barack Hussan Obama" and we all have to ask ourselves "Is this really what our founding fathers wanted this great country to evolve into, a war against our own citizens, our own neighbors over political ideology?" I think not. Bipartisanship is the only way we are gonna get this county rolling again. I am neither Conservative nor Librial, I see good in both policies. But unless we learn how to worked together again, instead of declaring war on one another, then any victory by either party will be forever tainted.

Sorry about the long comment, but I felt it had to be said.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

@ Kareem Gantt,

No apologies needed for your comment's length...you said what you needed to say, and I always appreciate that.

I think I am correct in saying that, the dems gaining control of their senate is proabably not going to be a problem, because Wisconsin is now in recess mode until the first of the year. There will be another election for the senate before the adjourn once again.

I do miss the Reagan - O'neil and the Clinton - Gingrich days....I think we did have some good days during their reign. Perhaps there IS something to it.

I personally think an entire conservative control for a short time is what we need to turn our country around, but HEY, I'm a pretty hard-core conservative and probably not to open minded as I should be (lol).

again, I appreciate your comment and I am always open for any dialogue.

Patriette 4 years ago from Las Vegas, NV

An emotional voter reacting over the WI Recall defeat said the following:

"We're just not disappointed. This is the end of Democracy."

Well, if this is the end of Democracy, then the WI Recall defeat is even better news than I at first realized. The voter fails to understand that we don't have a Democracy; this is a Constitutional Republic. A Constitutional Republic has some similarities to democracy in that it uses democratic processes to elect representatives and pass new laws, etc.

The critical difference lies in the fact that a Constitutional Republic has a Constitution that limits the powers of the government. The Founders were extremely knowledgeable about the issue of democracy and feared a democracy as much as a monarchy.

They understood that the only entity that can take away the people's freedom is their own government, either by being too weak to protect them from external threats or by becoming too powerful and taking over every aspect of life.

So this is an abject win for The Rule of Law and 'We the People.'!

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Patriette,

You make an extremely good point!

It really is an abject win for "We the People"...

It is nice to see you and I appeciate your comment.

Chris

Dexter Yarbrough 4 years ago from United States

Hi Chris! Great "rant." Nuff said!

Vladimir Uhri 4 years ago from HubPages, FB

Chris, thanks very well said.

swb78 4 years ago from Gainesville Georgia

Loved the Hub buddy, I was so excited to so him win. God bless--WP

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Great to hear from you Dexter, and THANK YOU!

Chris

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Vladimir,

Thanks!

I appreciate your words,

Chris

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi swb78,

It was INDEED an exciting moment to get this victory,

Blessings to also,

Crhis

teaches12345 4 years ago

Good points made and all ones that we should adopt throughout the country.

wba108@yahoo.com 4 years ago from upstate, NY

Although I believe in unions, the public employee unions are in a conflict of interest when thier funded with taxpayer dollars and negotiating with politicians for even more perks. Thier is no way the unions should have the power they do, politicians have rewritten laws to continually increase the power and wealth of these unions.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

teaches12345,

Thanks!

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

wba108@yahoo.com,

Even FDR realized that allowing a public union that sort of power was “unthinkable and intolerable.”

Keith Engel 4 years ago from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Tables have turned though in many cases, the unions who at first had thug tactics used against them by businesses owners, now have resorted to the same tactics that they accused the businesses of doing. They make me sick anymore.

J Elaine 4 years ago from Northern Minnesota

I wish we could clone Scott Walker! He's a true American hero and a rare species of politician. One with a backbone!

Now if we could just recall our pathetic governor in Minnesota. He must be Italian because we call him Veto Dayton.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi J Elaine,

Wouldn't be great if EVERY State had its own version of a "Scott Walker"?

If every congresman had the same integrity and passion to do what is best for America?

A great "wish"!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting,

Always a pleasure,

Chris

50 Caliber 4 years ago from Arizona

Chris, my rss feeds are slow to light up, I just saw this. I'm with you it is a great day to remember and has renewed my faith we will set obama on the curb come November, good Lord willing.

Renew the republic by ballot!

Peace,

Dusty

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi Dusty my buddy!!

I really believe the people are waking up, and are realizing just how dangerous the liberal movement reallyu is. Conservative principals being applied is winning....and Wisconsin PROVED it.

Peace to you,

Chris

RBJ33 4 years ago

Good day CMerritt - forgive me for my lateness. I am on a quest to visit each of my followers, read selective hubs, and comment.

This hub is well written and is an intellegent "rant." However, most of the comments are folks of your like thinking - I am not. As regards unions - I am not a union person, never belonged to one - but I sure understand why they came into existence. If my memory serves the vast majority of the exit polls in the Wisconsin recall showed the majority voted for Walker, not becasue he was right or even liked, but because they just didn't believ in recalls.

We all can speculate on the impact the recall election will have come November, but it is speculation. i am registered independent and have voted for who I considered the best candidate, and have voted for both Republicans and Democrats - if Romney is in fact the Republican nominee he must not count on my vote.

I agree with Kareem Gantt above. Until we get some intelligent, not arrogant, politicans in DC that can sit down together and make solution that favor the general public, we are in trouble. And, my fried, a total down the line unwavering conservative approach is not the answer, and neither is a total down the line unwavering liberal approach.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi RBJ, great to see you, and I appreciate your comments.

I agree we need to figure out HOW to get along and begin to do things in the best interest of our Nation, NOT just certain segments of our population. Both parties are indeed playing cut-throat politics. Though I systematically believe that conservative principals is what we MUST have to restore this nation to being economically sound for ALL Americans, I also know that in order to accomplish anything close to that we must find some common ground, and take some baby steps in that direction.

Though I am not "nuts" about Romney as a conservative, I think he may very well be the right person to take those baby steps back to the "right".

RBJ33 4 years ago

CMerritt - I appreciate you appreciation :)

I don't like labels - you profess to be a conservative, but I'd be willing to bet that on some issues you would tend to be liberal, and on others maybe a true radical. Labels are so confining - that is part of our current problems - you just cannot be strictly a conservative opposing a liberal if you want to get things solved.

Did you know that some of the people that helped significantly to form the Republican party were died in the wool socialists? Its true - if you like to read get "The S Word" by John Nichols. Your party has completely changed from what it was in the beginning.

If you are middle class be very afraid if Romeny is elected.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

RBJ, I agree, we are way too easy to place a lable on ourselves and then to vote. When I say I am a conservative, I think I would say I line up with much of what Reagan was as a conservative...maybe not so much by what he did, but by his words.

I am indeed middle class, but the alternative of Obama does not seem to fair well for my future. His leadership alone is dangerous. Romney is NOT one that I prefer, but given my choices.....

I hope we have a huge replacement of old and in with new in congress...

The S Word is something I will check out....I enjoy all views, and I really open "fairly" open-minded. I agree too, that there very well maybe some non-conservative idea's that I could side with, if it meant to better our nation.

RBJ33 4 years ago

Don't you wish for just one election you could vote for the very best candidate instead of the lesser of two evils?

I voted for President Obama in 2008 - he has been somewhat of a disappointment, but given what he inherited, and the NO republicans in Congress - no one could have been fully effective.

I hope you read it - let me know what you think.

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

I would love to have the chance to vote for a person I truly admired and felt would do the absolute best job for our country.

I will see about that book and let you know....

Keith Engel 4 years ago from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hey C,

Since we are throwing out book suggestions, may I suggest Thomas Sowell's Intellectuals and Society. It is a really engaging read, I am currently on the Chapter about Social Visions, it is rather insightful.

@RBJ33.

The parties have changed as that happens unfortunately, you can just look at the change in the Democratic Party. Since you don't like to use labels, then what does Socialist have to do with the founding of the Republican Party in 1854? By that time the Philosophy that bred Socialist ideas was out, though that has been out likewise for a long time anyway dating back to Plato and Socrates. Furthermore, that is what many conservatives are upset about when it comes to the Republican's in the first place. The problem are Progressives. Are all Republican's Conservatives? All are Democrats Liberals? Are all Conservatives Republican's and are all Liberals Democrats?

Though this is generally the case it may not always be and if you want to look at the Democratic Party and see how it has changed since the Time of JFK then I suggest another book as well as the one above. It is called the New Left The Anti Industrial Revolution by Ayn Rand .

CMerritt 4 years ago from Pendleton, Indiana Author

Hi Keith!

I am WAY behind my reading of books. Something I really WANT to do, but it seems playing "Dad" as of lately is consuming most if not ALL of any "spare" time I have....I am a Thomas Sowell fan, and read his articles from time to time...

RBJ33 4 years ago

Good Morning Keith and CMerritt

Thank you Keith for your comments. No, I don't like labels for myself because they are too confining and I find I cross over all the labels at times, and depending on the subject. Yes both parties have changed and so has society as a whole - not all for the better. Too much uglyness and negativeism.

Thanks for the book recommendation - I have read much on both sides of the argument, but no more Ann Rand for me thanks.